There was an old thread about the original introduction of Shingrix in the USA from 2018, but I felt it was best to start a fresh thread.

Shingrix was finally authorized in CH in early 2022 (I think March). It is much better than the previous product (Zostavax) that was available.

If you want to see what shingles is and how it affects the body, do a quick Google. It is not fun and can be very dangerous, painful and debilitating depending on where on the body it is located (head, chest, below the belt). In a couple of words, it is the chicken pox virus that remains dormant in the body and has a tendency to come out when you are 50 years or older and the body is under stress.

A couple of points from the USA CDC (link below) that highlight the importance of getting this vaccine if you are over 50 years of age.

"Chickenpox and shingles are related because they are caused by the same virus (varicella-zoster virus). After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant (inactive) in the body. It can reactivate years later and cause shingles."

"More than 99% of Americans born on or before 1980 have had chickenpox, even if they don’t remember having the disease." Is Europe the same ?

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shi...rix/index.html

So, it you want to avoid the pain and suffering associated with Shingles, it is best to talk to your doctor and get the two doses if you are over 50 or younger if you have immune issues.

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Do or do not, there is no try(ing). Yoda

I had Zostavax a couple years back. Would that prevent or delay me from having Shingrix?

Not according to the CDC.

"You should get Shingrix even if in the past you:

Had shingles
Received Zostavax*
Received varicella (chickenpox) vaccine+

* A shingles vaccine called zoster vaccine live (Zostavax) is no longer available for use in the United States, as of November 18, 2020. If you had Zostavax in the past, you should still get Shingrix. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine the best time to get Shingrix.

I asked my GP about the shingles vaccine late summer and was told she could approve as “off label” - in the meantime it seems the licensing has progressed.

In any case, I had the first Shingrix dose last week and feeling a relief similar to getting first covid vacc. Have a childhood memory of the (elderly in my youthful eyes) director of the funeral home that shared a garden boundary with our garden dying from shingles, and my mother out of commission for too long when she had in mid-60’s.

I felt pretty miserable 18hrs after the vacc was administered, took paracetamol, went back to sleep and woke up 3 hrs later feeling fine.

I has asked my doctor about it 2-3 years ago and since it was not yet approved in CH, she mentioned that there was a pharmacy in Lausanne that could import it from D at a cost of CHF 600.- for the two doses. I decided that I could wait.

I had the first shot yesterday morning (hence the post). No issues with pain or other so maybe I am on the lucky list.

My GP offered it a while back and I got it in September. Had a nasty bout of shingles in/very near my eye a while back, apparently missed permanent sight damage by about 1mm and do not want to risk that again.

Thanks for this.
My grandmother died as a result of complications from shingles so I would rather avoid getting it myself. I will ask my GP about the vaccine.

Can you get it at 42?

Thanks for sharing, I had a horrendous case of chicken pox as a girl and have always been petrified of shingles.

Thanks Verbier. I‘ve just contacted my GP and asked if they offer that.
Good to know there is now a vaccination!

I got a bought of shingles as a side-effect of my second Covid vaccine. It can apparently revive dormant viruses that are still present in your body from childhood chicken pox. It was the first time I had it, and it was awful for about a week. I didn‘t get it for any of my other 3 shots.

Thanks for the info - will also book an appointment for this.

Last year I got shingles after taking the Covid vaccine. Shingrix protection is for a year only or much longer?
Google says 5 to 9 years of protection? How does it protect if Chickenpox virus is permanently dormant in our body?

yes. an in-law of mine has it and it has been terrible. he has it on his eyes/head and has basically been incapacitated and is unable to work and is in constant pain.

So did I, about a month after getting the vaccine. I got it early 40`s and was shocked as I thought it was an `older` disease. I phoned to get the Shingrix vaccine after as it was so bad (looks and feels awful, worst headaches I ever got) but was told I need to be over 50.

My family member >50 got shingrix, administered by his gp, earlier this year (after having had a bad bout of shingles in his thirties). No bad side effects and peace of mind. I plan to get it as soon as I'm "of age"

As from what age is it recommended?

I didn't realise there was a link. I had a bought earlier this year after my 3rd booster, but didn't know one might have caused the other.

Luckily the shingles was very mild.

It‘s interesting to see there a few other posters that also had this side-effect!

CDC recommends from 50 years of age

NHS site says adults 70-79years

(in Sweden recommended from 50yrs, a ref point for me as I spend a decent amount of time there)

Glad I could make my own decision.

Verbier, thank you again for your very timely post. Discussed it today with my Dr. at our already scheduled rdv. She gave me a prescription for two doses which I picked up at a pharmacy on my way home. I’ll go back next week to be jabbed, and my annual flue jab.

My doctor said there could be a link but too low in data to prove. I was personally under a ton of stress at the time with twin newborns and alot on at work so could have been stress also.